Cleaning mop

ABSTRACT

A cleaning mop for cleaning bathtubs and the like including a handle, a flexible cleansing pad, and means for releasably mounting the cleansing pad at one end of the handle to pivot about its diametrical axis with sufficient frictional engagement to hold the cleansing pad at any selected angle with respect to the handle when not acted upon by external forces.

United States Patent [191 Johnson, Sr.

[ CLEANING MOP [76] Inventor: John W. Johnson, Sr., 7515 State St.,

East St. Louis, Ill. 62203 [22] Filed: Mar. 22, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 126,806

[52] 11.8. C1. 15/210 R, 15/144 R, 306/20 [51] Int. Cl A471 17/02, 825g 3/38 [58] Field of Search 15/l44-R, 154, 172, 15/187, 188, 210 R, 228, 229 B, 229 BP, 23018, 231, 244 A, 144 A, 209 AH, 220, 232, 233; 306/19, 20; 401/11, 203, 204

[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2,682,071 6/1954 Linderoth 15/228 X 2,853,730 9/1958 Belsky et a1 15/209 R 2,887,712 5/1959 Vosbikian et a1... 15/244 A X 3,114,924 12/1963 Morrison 15/97 R 1,497,079 6/1924 Gullborg et a1 15/244 A 2,414,321 1/1947 Miller 15/188 3,484,795 12/1969 Nic0lay.... 15/144 R 2,790,988 5/1957 Hamm 15/144 R X 1 Aug. 21, 1973 2,572,978 10/1951 Bogan 15/244 A X 1,112,190 9/1914 Beazley 15/144 R 3,526,918 9/1970 Leland 15/244 R X 2,934,775 5/1960 Bergstrom 15/244 A X 2,548,331 4/1951 Yamashiro.... 15/154 X 2,867,832 1/1959 Hanninen 15/154 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,065,583 9/1959 Germany 15/244 A 787,587 12/1957 Great Britain... 15/188 1,156,161 6/1969 Great Britain 15/244 A [57] ABSTRACT A cleaning mop for cleaning bathtubs and the like in cluding a handle, a flexible'cleansing pad, and means for releasably mounting the cleansing pad at one end of the handle to pivot about its diametrical axis with sufficient frictional engagement to hold the cleansing pad at any selected angle with respect to the handle when not acted upon by external forces.

6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures Patented Aug. 21, 1973 CLEANING MOP BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Bathroom fixtures, such as bathtubs and the like, are relatively difficult to clean because of the wide variety of surface shapes associated therewith, and the stooping, reaching and bending required. It is therefore desirable to provide a device with which all of the various surfaces of a bathtub can be reached and effectively cleaned without bending, stooping or reaching. This invention is such a device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The cleaning mop of this invention generally includes a stick handle sufficiently long so that the user can reach all surfaces of the bathtub from a single standing position. A flexible disc-shaped cleansing pad is mounted at one end of the handle for pivotal movement with respect to the handle about its diametrical axis as the cleansing surface of the pad is moved over the surfaces being cleaned. The mounting means generally includes spring biased jaw means having one end firmly locked to the bottom of the handle and the other end made to frictionally engage the back of the cleansing pad for pivotal mounting thereof.

The cleansing pad is flexible with a concave cleansing surface to facilitate cleaning and to help hold the cleansing surface against the surface being cleansed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the cleaning mop of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the lower end of the invention of Figure 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view in section taken'along the line 3-3 of Figure 2; and

FIG. 4 is a view in section taken along the line 4--4 of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The cleaning mop of this invention is particularly designed for cleaning bathtubs and similar fixtures having a variety of angled surfaces and rounded cornersusually requiring bending and stooping to clean, and includes a straight stick-type handle 21 of suitable material and of a length somewhat longer than the commonly-known broom handle for reaching all surfaces of the tub from one position, a quick release pad holder 22, and a cleansing pad 23.

The lower end of the handle 21 includes a horizontal diametrical aperture 25 spaced at short distance from its lower end. A pair of parallel grooves 27 and 28 extend from opposite ends of the aperture 25 down the side and to the lower end of the handle 21. The aperture 25 and grooves 27 and 28 receive the upper end of the pad holder 22. v

The pad mount 22 includes generally S-shaped arms 30 and 31 of heavy gauge wire. The arms being oppositely formed to cross at a point 32 forming an upper loop 33 and a lower loop 34. At the top of the upper loop 33, the arms 30 and 31 have straight parallel sections 37 and 38 which mount in the grooves 27 and 28, respectively. The upper ends of the straight sections 37 and 38 are bent toward each other to fit in the aperture 25. The grooves 27 and 28 are sufficiently deep so that the outer surfaces of the sections 37 and 38 do not extend beyond the outer surface of the handle 21. A sleeve of metal or other suitable material of an inside diameter just large enough to slide over the handle 21 surrounds the lower end of the handle and the sections 37 and 38 to firmly lock the pad holder to the handle. The sleeve 40 includes notches 41 or other suitable means for holding the sleeve in place at the lower end of the handle.

The lower ends 45 and 46 of the arms 30 and 31, respectively, are bent toward each other in spaced apart relation to form spring biased opposing jaws 45 and 46 for holding the pad 23. The jaws 45 and 46 are not axially aligned but angled slightly downward for purposes to'be described.

The pad 23 includes a disc 50 of rubber or other suitable flexible elastomer-type material having a concave face 51. The back of the disc 50 has an upwardly extending portion 52 of smaller diameter. Located approximately at the base and on diametrically opposite sides of the portion 52 are bores 55 and 56 extending part way into the disc 50 for receiving the jaws 45 and 46. The bores are of a slightly smaller diameter than the jaws, and like the jaws 45 and 46 are angled slightly downward to provide a snug frictional fit therebetween, thus preventing the disc from flopping loosely at the end of the mop. This frictional engagement is sufficient to hold the disc 50 at a selected pivotal angle while the mop is manipulated out of contact with the surface being cleaned. Sufficient force is exerted by the user as a surface is cleaned to change the pivotal angle so that the face of the pad is always flat against the surface.

A foam pad 60 of polyurethane or other suitable material, and of a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the disc 50, is bonded to the face 51 of the disc 50 such as by gluing. The exposed surface including the sides of the foam pad 60 are covered with a porous material such as a Mylarmesh which is bonded to the foam 60 by gluing or other suitable means. The cover 61 is relatively stiff as compared to the foam for roughing the dirt surface, but not so hard as to damage the porcelain surface, and permits the pad to move easily on the surface being scrubbed, while the foam 60 acts to hold the soap, detergent or other cleanser. The foam 60 also acts in conjunction with the flexible disc 50 to provide a flexible pad which aids in following the contour of the surfaces being cleaned. The concave surface 62 prevents the pad 23 from flipping over when its edge grabs on the surface being cleaned.

OPERATION With substantially the entire length of the sections 37 and 38 held locked to the lower end of the handle 21 by the sleeve 40, the lower end of the holder 22 acts as a spring clamp to hold the pad 23. To replace the pad 23, the wire portions forming the upper loop 33 of the mount 22 are grasped in the hand and squeezed together forcing the jaws 45 and 46 apart. The old pad 23 is removed and a new one positioned with its bores 55 and 56 aligned with the jaws 45 and 46. The grip on the mount 22 is then released allowing the spring biased jaws 45 and 46 to enter the bores 55 and 56.

Therefore, there has been described a novel cleaning mop for effectively cleaning all of the surfaces of a bathtub fixture and the like without stooping, bending or changing position.

Various changes and modifications may be made within this invention as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are within the scope and teaching of this invention as defined by the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. A cleaning mop for cleaning bathtubs, fixtures and the like comprising a handle, a cleansing pad having a cleansing surface, and quick release mounting means for mounting the cleansing pad at one end of the handle for pivotal movement with respect thereto and with sufficient frictional engagement to hold the cleansing pad at a selected pivotal angle without external forces acting thereon, the mounting means including opposing spring biased jaws between which the cleansing pad is mounted for pivotal movement about an axis substantially parallel to the cleansing surface, the pad having a flexible backing the back side of which has a centrally located upward protrusion with diametrically opposed bores for receiving the jaws of the mounting means, the jaws being sized larger than the bores and the jaws and bores being inclined slightly so as not to be axially aligned.

2. A cleaning mop comprising a cleansing pad having a flexible elastomer backing with diametrically opposite bores therein, a handle having opposed spring biased jaws inserted in the bores, the jaws being of slightly larger diameter than the bores, and the jaws and bores being inclined slightly so as not to be axially aligned, so as to frictionally engage the pad for frictional pivotal movement of the pad with respect to the handle, the frictional movement being such as to hold the cleansing pad in any of its pivotal positions without external forces acting thereon.

.3. A cleaning mop for cleaning irregular surfaces such as those found on bathtubs or the like comprising a handle, a flexible cleansing pad having a circular and concave cleansing surface and further having a flexible elastomer backing with diametrically opposed bores therein, and mounting means for mounting the cleansing pad at one end of the handle for frictional pivotal movement about an axis substantially parallel to the cleansing surface under the interacting forces between the cleansing surface and the surfaces being cleaned as the cleansing surface is moved over the surface being cleaned, the concavity of the surface preventing the pad from flipping over as its edges grab on the surface being cleaned, the frictional pivotal movement being such as to hold the cleansing surface in any of its pivotal positions without external forcesacting thereon. and the mounting means further comprising opposed spring biased jaws of slightly larger diameter than the bores, which jaws are inserted in the bores for frictional engagement therewith.

4. The mop of claim 3 wherein the pad includes an elastomer backing, and a foam pad mounted to the lower surface of the backing, and a fabric covering over the exposed surface of the foam pad, the covering being of a material abrasive to dirt but not the surface being cleaned.

5. A cleaning mop for cleaning irregular surfaces such as those found on bathtubs or the like comprising a handle, a flexible cleansing pad having a circular'and concave cleansing surface, the cleansing pad further comprising an elastomer backing, a foam pad mounted to the lower surface of the backing, and a fabric covering over the exposed surface of the foam pad, the covering being of a material abrasive to dirt but not the surface being cleaned, the cleaning mop further comprising mounting means for mounting the cleansing pad at one end of the handle for frictional pivotal movement about an axis substantially parallel to the cleansing surface under the interaction forces between the cleansing surface and the surface being cleaned as the cleansing surface is moved over the surface being cleaned, the concavity of the surface preventing the pad from flipping over as its edges grab on the surface being cleaned.

6. The mop of claim 5 wherein the frictional pivotal movement is such as to hold the cleansing surface in any of its pivotal positions without external forces acting thereon. 

1. A cleaning mop for cleaning bathtubs, fixtures and the like comprising a handle, a cleansing pad having a cleansing surface, and quick release mounting means for mounting the cleansing pad at one end of the handle for pivotal movement with respect thereto and with sufficient frictional engagement to hold the cleansing pad at a selected pivotal angle without external forces acting thereon, the mounting means including opposing spring biased jaws between which the cleansing pad is mounted for pivotal movement about an axis substantially parallel to the cleansing surface, the pad having a flexible backing the back side of which has a centrally located upward protrusion with diametrically opposed bores for receiving the jaws of the mounting means, the jaws being sized larger than the bores and the jaws and bores being inclined slightly so as not to be axially aligned.
 2. A cleaning mop comprising a cleansing pad having a flexible elastomer backing with diametrically opposite bores therein, a handle having opposed spring biased jaws inserted in the bores, the jaws being of slightly larger diameter than the bores, and the jaws and bores being inclined slightly so as not to be axially aligned, so as to frictionally engage the pad for frictional pivotal movement of the pad with respect to the handle, the frictional movement being such as to hold the cleansing pad in any of its pivotal positions without external forces acting thereon.
 3. A cleaning mop for cleaning irregular surfaces such as those found on bathtubs or the like comprising a handle, a flexible cleansing pad having a circular and concave cleansing surface and further having a flexible elastomer backing with diametrically opposed bores therein, and mounting means for mounting the cleansing pad at one end of the handle for frictional pivotal movement about an axis substantially parallel to the cleansing surface under the interacting forces between the cleansing surface and the surfaces being cleaned as the cleansing surface is moved over the surface being cleaned, the concavity of the surface preventing the pad from flipping over as its edges grab on the surface being cleaned, the frictional pivotal movement being such as to hold the cleansing surface in any of its pivotal positions without external forces acting thereon, and the mounting means further comprising opposed spring biased jaws of slightly larger diameter than the bores, which jaws are inserted in the bores for frictional engagement therewith.
 4. The mop of claim 3 wherein the pad includes an elastomer backing, and a foam pad mounted to the lower surface of the backing, and a fabric covering over the exposed surface of the foam pad, the covering being of a material abrasive to dirt but not the surface being cleaned.
 5. A cleaning mop for cleaning irregular surfaces such as those found on bathtubs or the like comprising a handle, a flexible cleansing pad having a circular and concave cleansing surface, the cleansing pad further comprising an elastomer backing, a foam pad mounted to the lower surface of the backing, and a fabric covering over the exposed surface of the foam pad, the covering being of a material abrasive to dirt but not the surface being cleaned, the cleaning mop further comprising mounting means for mounting the cleansing pad at one end of the handle for frictional pivotal movement about an axis substantially parallel to the cleansing surface under the interaction forces between the cleansing surface and the surface being cleaned as the cleansing surface is moved over the surface being cleaned, the concavity of the surface preventing the pad from flipping over as its edges grab on the surface being cleaned.
 6. The mop of claim 5 wherein the frictional pivotal movement is such as to hold the cleansing surface in any of its pivotal positions without external forces acting thereon. 